Chapter 91

"Are you really going, Azami?"

In front of the stone steps leading down from the old man's house, Momo asked with a face on the verge of tears.

The way she looked up at me, gazing intently from the height difference, reminded me of that girl. Of course, the fact that she called me such an unsuitable nickname was quite different from her.

"Yeah. Take care, Momo."

Momo, wearing a uniform that was still stained in places, must have washed it the day she arrived. I smiled wryly, imagining that even in such a world, she must want to wear something cute.

"Mmm, why are you making that face... Azami is so cold!"

"Ah, no, I just thought you really like your uniform."

"Ah... yeah. Hehe, it suits me, right?"

"Make sure to wear something to cover your legs when you go outside."

"...It suits me, right?"

"...Yeah."

Pouting, Momo made me say that, but she smiled contentedly when she heard it. With her puffed-up hair and tanned skin, and her way of speaking, she looked like a typical gal, but I knew she was a kind-hearted girl who felt responsible for what Takuru had done.

Thinking the conversation was over, Takuru, who had been watching nearby, stepped forward and said to me,

"Mr. Yanagi, really, thank you so much..."

Unlike Momo, he was trying hard not to cry, but tears were already spilling from his reddened eyes. His once messy hair had calmed down, and he looked like an ordinary boy, but I knew he had a strong and straightforward heart. Moved by Takuru's tears, I placed my hand on his head.

"Don't worry about it. Take care, Takuru."

This made more tears spill from Takuru's eyes. Clenching his fists, he looked down and sniffled. I gently patted his head.

"Take care of Momo from now on."

"...Yes. I'll try to get stronger like Mr. Yanagi."

"You don't need to be like me. Just be yourself."

"Yes... Mr. Yanagi, please be careful."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Wiping his tears with his sleeve, Takuru said this, and I replied clearly.

In fact, it's impossible for me to be in such a situation with just zombies. Even with humans, though.

"Um... Can you please try to stay in this town somehow..."

"No, that's not necessary."

Takuru must not have fully believed my words, so I cut him off mid-sentence.

"As I said last night, I have no complaints about the town's decision. You don't need to worry about me. I don't want you two to think badly of the town because of me. Remember that."

I looked at Takuru and Momo alternately and said firmly. After confirming that they nodded and looked at me, I shifted my gaze to the old man behind them.

"Old man, you've been a great help. I'm grateful."

"What are you talking about... I'm the one who can't thank you enough."

"No, the food was great, and I got 'this' too."

I said this and lightly tapped the thing hanging from my waist with a fist.

It was a Japanese sword, a tachi, with a blade length of two shaku and three sun, now sheathed. After our rematch at the dojo, the old man disappeared for a moment and then returned with it, giving it to me.

"It's better than an axe. It might be a bit of a hassle to maintain, but you can discard it on the way if you want. Besides, it's always good to have a weapon."

"It's a fine piece. I'll take good care of it."

"Do you really not need a gun?"

"No, I don't need one."

I don't need to use one, and besides, I have the firearms the half-gang used, stored in my item box. Plus, the moment I touched the sword, it felt familiar. I probably won't need any other weapons for a long time, even without maintenance.

"...Well, that might be true for you, Mr. Yanagi."

The old man murmured this with a hint of something more.

"If you were here, this town wouldn't have had any worries."

"That's an exaggeration."

"Well, maybe. But... you're not the kind of person to stay in a small town like this."

Feeling a bit embarrassed by the old man's words, I scratched my head.

"Take care, old man. Look after Takuru and Momo."

"I know that. Take care, Mr. Yanagi... though I'm not worried."

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

Takuru and Momo looked upset at the old man's words, but they were surprised to see me and the old man laughing together.

...Just how much does this old man know?

"Well, it's about time to go."

I said this and looked down at the two who were looking up at me. We had only known each other for a few days, but to be missed this much means we must have spent some intense time together. When every moment is a matter of life and death, that's probably how it is.

"Azami, really, be careful."

"Mr. Yanagi, please, don't die."

"Yeah. You two, too."

After exchanging final words with them, I exchanged a glance with the old man and then turned and walked down the stone steps.